Weighted base



WEIGHTED BASE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 13, 1966 Ill n Robert R. Goodman INVENTOR. Wm

Dec. 10, 1968 R. R. GOODMAN 3,415,475

WEIGHTED BASE Filed Oct. 13, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 4

Roberf R- Goodman INVENTOR.

0 BY MW H Ammm Dec. 10, 1968 GOODMAN 3,415,475-

WEIGHTED BASE Filed Oct. 13, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 1 Fig.7

i [OI/17% Robert RGoodman 1N VENTOR.

BY @waofiw.

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United States Patent 3,415,475 WEIGHTED BASE Robert R. Goodman, 707 N. 25th St., Reading, Pa. 19606 Filed Oct. 13, 1966, Ser. No. 600,299 14 Claims. (Cl. 248158) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A shell molded of resilient material defining a cavity weighted with a solidified dense material filling the cavity and including a vertically extending, centrally disposed, cylindrical socket member for the coupling of a utilitarian device to the integrally molded weighted shell.

This application is a continuation-in-part application of my copending application, Ser. No. 557,651, filed June 15, 1966.

This invention relates to weighted bases comprising an element of a support for an art or utilitarian device and more particularly to weighted bases including a generally resilient plastic shell filled with a solidified dense ballast material.

Weighted bases are commonly used in conjunction with numerous devices such as table and floor lamps, microphone stands, flag stands, electrical appliance bases, dispensers, and the like. Heretofore, such weighted bases generally comprised metal castings formed by means of time-consuming and costly foundry and machining operations. It will furthermore be appreciated that the necessary foundry equipment requires a substantial capital expenditure. In addition, in a foundry operation a changeover in the configuration of the weighted bases being cast becomes rather costly unless substantial numbers of a base of a particular configuration are manufactured. Furthermore, casting and machining procedures drastically limit the materials which may be utilized for the fabrication of weighted bases proposed heretofore.

It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide a weighted base which is constructed in such a manner so as to obviate the complicated, expensive casting procedures necessary for the fabrication of weighted bases proposed heretofore.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a generally non-metallic weighted base which includes a resilient hollow plastic shell filled with a solidified weighted composition.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a weighted base including a generally resilient hollow plastic shell adapted to be filled with a cementitious composition including a substantial proportion of a dense metallic ore so as to provide a generally non-metallic weighted base having a density which is favorably comparable in density to cast metallic bases proposed heretofore.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a weighted base including a generally resilient hollow plastic shell filled with a solidified dense composition which shell is further provided with a centrally disposed vertically extending aperture or opening adapted to receive a connector means so as to provide a means of coupling the weighted base to an art or utilitarian device such as a lamp stand, microphone stand, flag stand, electrical appliance, dispenser, or the like of which it forms a art. p Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a weighted base for electrically operated devices and the like wherein the base is preferably provided with recessed areas adapted to accept an electrical power supply cord and/or switch assembly utilized in conjunction "ice with the device with which the weighted base is associated.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a weighted base including a generally resilient hollow plastic shell preferably formed of moldable plastic material such as polyethylene, polystyrene, and the like which plastic shell may be selectively colored by utilization of suitable colorants or plated such as by vapor deposition of metallic elements or alloys.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a simple economical means of providing a weighted base including a generally resilient hollow plastic shell filled with a weighted cementitious composition whereby the weighted base may be provided with a stamped or spin drawn metallic cover plate so as to simulate the appearance of the cast, machined metal base without the necessity of having to resort to costly foundry and machining operations.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like nurnerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a weighted base constructed in accordance with my invention and further showing in phantom lines the cooperation of the weighted base with a standard such as that supporting a floor lamp, for example;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the weighted base of FIGURE 1 taken substantially on the plane of the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the base of FIGURE 1 taken substantially on the plane of the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1 further showing in section, a decorative cover plate in place over the weighted base of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged top plan view of the base of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged bottom plan view of the weighted base of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is a bottom plan view of another embodiment of a weighted base constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a weighted base constructed in accordance with the present invention and further showing in phantom lines the cooperation of the weighted base with a standard such as that supporting, for example, a microphone;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the weighted base of FIGURE 7 taken substantially on the plane of the line 8-8 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a cross-sectional view of the insert and cementitious material taken substantially on the plane of the line 99 of FIGURE 8; and

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view similar to FIGURES 2 and 8 of still another embodiment of the weighted base constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings and FIGURES 1 through 5 in particular, it will be seen that this exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated therein comprises a weighted base indicated generally at 10 which includes a molded shell 12 of generally resilient plastic material. The shell 12 in the exemplary embodiment 10 illustrated is characterized by a generally disk-like configuration with a generally planar lower surface 14 and a generally conical upper surface 16. As seen best in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4, substantially the entire cavity within the shell 12 is ballasted with a weighted composition indicated generally at 20 which preferably, although not necessarily, comprises a cementitious composition including a major portion of a relatively dense iron ore aggregate so as to provide a weighted base having an overall density which compares favorably with the density of a cast metal base.

The plastic shell 12 is preferably molded by a suitable conventional molding technique such as blow molding for example, from material such as polyethylene, ABS (a form of styrene), polystyrene or the like. The weighting or ballast composition preferably comprises approximately 70% iron ore aggregate and of a conventional hydraulic cement such as that comprising an admixture of 70% sand and 30% of a conventional masonry pozzolana cement, for example. As seen best in FIGURE 2, the cavity within the shell 12 is filled with the weighting composition 20, while still in a fiuent state of course, through a filling port indicated at 22 which is subsequently sealed by a resilient snap engaged closure plug 24.

The structure described heretofore comprises the basic minimum necessary for the construction of the present invention. However, bases constructed in accordance with the present invention may include a number of featu es certain of which are specifically illustrated and will be described hereinafter.

As seen best in FIGURES 2 and 3, the normally horizontally extending disk-like weighted base 10 preferably includes a centrally disposed vertically extending integral cylindrical member 26 adapted to receive a coupling means or cylindrical bushing 30 provided with knurling 34 on the outer diameter to assist in frictionally retaining the bushing 30 within the cylindrical member 26. The bushing 30 is further provided with a longitudinally extending threaded bore 32 adapted to facilitate coupling of the weighted base to an art device. Although not shown, it will be understood that instead of providing the shell 12 with a shoulder such as at 28 to prevent pulling out of the bushing 30. when a standard or the like as indicated in phantom lines at is threadedly secured thereto, the bushing 30 :may alternately be provided with an integral radially extending flange, not shown (in FIGS. 2 and 3), at the lower extremity thereof which abuts against the planar surface 14 to prevent the bushing 30 from pulling out.

Referring particularly to FIGURE 3, it will be noted that the weighted base 10 illustrated therein is primarily, although not necessarily, intended to be utilized as a weighted base for a floor or table lamp, for example, including a vertical standard such as indicated at 40. More particularly, the shell 12 is provided with a truncated wedge-shaped relieved portion indicated generally at 42 provided with an integral hollow or solid tie bar 44 adapted to cooperate in a manner to be described to provide a means of mounting a suitable electrical switch or the like 46 substantially flush with the upper conical surface 16 of the shell 12. Toward this end, it will be seen that the weighted base 10 may be further provided with a stamped or spin drawn decorative cover plate 48 formed of anodized aluminum, for example, secured to the weighted base 10 by means of the threadably received standard 40. As seen best in FIGURE 3, a foot or hand operated switch such as indicated at 46 is secured in depending relation from a suitable aperture provided in the cover plate 48.

It will furthermore be appreciated that the molded plastic shell 12, in addition to being provided with a decorative cover plate 48 such as illustrated in FIGURE 3, may be suitably colored so as to obviate the need for a cover plate 48. Alternatively the shell 12 may be plated with a metallic element or alloy such as by a conventional vapor deposition method, for example, thereby providing a simple economical means of manufacturing a highly attractive and durable weighted base without the necessity of having to resort to costly foundry and machining operations as generally required heretofore.

As seen best in FIGURES 3 and 5, the embodiment of the weighted base 10 further includes a centrally disposed circular recess indicated generally at 50 in the planar surface 14 as well as radially extending slot 52 communicating with the recessed area 50 so as to provide a means of nesting an electrical power supply cord or the like 54 therealong to facilitate connecting the cord 54 to the switch 46 and upwardly through the bushing 30 to supply power to a suitable device supported by the vertical standard 40.

Referring now specifically to FIGURE 6, it will be seen that another embodiment of the invention comprises a weighted base intended to be utilized in conjunction with an art or utilitarian device not requiring a base mounted switch or the like and accordingly the base 100 is not provided with a truncated generally wedge-shaped relieved area 42, but is merely provided with a centrally located recessed region 500 on the lower surface thereof which communicates with a radially extending slot 520 adapted to receive a power supply cord or the like (not shown) in a manner analogous to that illustrated with regard to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGURES 1-5. Inasmuch as the remainder of the embodiment 100 of a weighted base constructed in accordance with the present invention is substantially analogous to that illustrated with respect to the embodiment 10, with the above-noted exception, it is not considered necessary to duplicate all of the views with regard to this embodiment as shown with respect to the embodiment 10. As seen in FIGURES 2, 3, 5 and 6 the embodiments 10 and 100 may be provided with a plurality of integral downwardly extending short feet 60.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGURES 79. A weighted base generally designated by the numeral has a molded shell 158 of resilient plastic or like material formed in disc-like configuration. The shell 158 has a planar lower surface 152 and a generally conical upper surface 154. The weighted base 150 is intended for use as part of an art or utilitarian device not requiring an electrical connection through the base.

The upper surface 154 of the shell 158 has a centrally disposed opening 160 in which is inserted a vertically extending cylindrical bushing or socket 162, which extends approximately the full height of the shell 158. The underneath side 164 of the bottom 166 of the bushing 162 rests on the top 168 of the generally planar lower surface 152 of the shell 158, and the bushing extends upwardly through the Opening 160 and terminates in a flange 170 which overlaps portion 172 of the upper wall 154 adjacent the opening 160.

The bushing 162 is initially held in place by means of a screw 174 which extends through the bottom wall 152 of the shell 158 and is threadedly engaged to the bottom 166 of the bushing, as at 176.

As in the embodiments illustrated in FIGURES 1-6, the cavity of shell 158 is filled with a ballast material 156, preferably cementitious, through opening 178 in lower wall 152. After filling, the opening is sealed by a resilient snap engaged closure plug 180.

The exterior cylindrical surface 182 of the bushing 162 is irregularly formed such as having deep longitudinally extending grooves 184 (see FIGURE 9), or other similar type irregularities such as knurles or threaded, which contact the ballast material 156 so as to rigidify the bushing 162 within the ballast material 156. The inside of the bushing 162 is internally threaded as at 186 to receive a standard 188 (illustrated in dotted lines) or the like.

In all other respects, the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 7-9 is similar to those illustrated in FIG- URES 16.

In the event an electrical connection is desired to be made through the base 150, appropriately sized and aligned holes (not shown) could be made in the lower wall 152 and the bottom 166 of the bushing 162. Further, the screw 174 could be offset in order to accommodate the openings, and a circular recess and. radially extending slot similar to that illustrated in FIGURE 6 as numeral 500 and 520, respectively, could be provided.

A further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in cross-section in FIGURE and would have the same top perspective appearance as illustrated in FIGURE 7. This further weighted base embodying the instant invention is generally designated by the numeral 250 and has an outer molded shell 252 with a top conical wall 254*and a lower generally fiat wall 256. Both the upper wall 254 and the lower wall 256 have centrally disposed circular openings 258 and 260, respectively, which are vertically aligned. Received within the openings and extending vertically through the shell 252 is a cylindrical bushing 262. The bushing has a horizontally extending flange at its upper end 264 which overlies the portion 266 of the upper wall 254 adajacent the opening 258. A similar horizontally extending flange 268 is provided at the lower end of the bushing 262 to overlie the portion 270 of the lower wall 256 adjacent the opening 260 therein.

The lower wall 256 also includes a centrally disposed circular recess indicated generally at 272 as well as a radially extending slot 274 communicating with the recess area 272 so as to provide a means for nesting an electrical power supply cord or the like whereby it can then extend upwardly through the bushing 262 and into the standard 276 (shown in dotted lines).

Due to the relative flexibility of the shell 252 the bushing 262 can readily be inserted into the openings 258 and 260, and by forming the shell such that the distance between the Openings 258 and 260 is normally slightly greater than the height of the bushing between flanges 264 and 268, a biasing between the flanges 264 and 268 can be established with the portions 266 and 270, respectively, to hold the bushing 262 in place in the shell 252 and seal the openings 258 and 260. Thereafter, the ballast material 278 can be introduced in the cavity in the shell 252 through opening 280 which after filling is subsequently closed by a snap type closure 282.

The exterior surface of the bushing 262 can be provided with irregularities (similar to that described for FIG- URE 9), such as longitudinal grooves 267, so that when the cavity of the shell 252 is filled with the ballast material and after solidification, a strong bond results between the exterior bushing surface and the ballast material. Also, similar to the previous embodiments, the bushing 262 is internally threaded to receive the standard 276 (in dotted lines) for supporting the art or utilitarian device.

Other than the structure as above described, the embodiments of the invention illustrated in FIGURES 7-10 are similar in appearance and function to the embodiment originally described and illustrated in FIGURES 1-5.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that weighted bases produced in accordance with the principles of the present invention satisfy all of the objects set forth heretofore and are highly desirable components of support structures for art devices of as diverse a nature as floor and table lamps, microphone stands, flag stands, tape and other dispensers, television and other electrical appliance bases and any other art device that would be aided by a weighted base. Additionally, it will be understood that the weighting composition may comprise any temporarily fluent weighted composition which solidifies at a temperature below that which would be injurious to the type of plastic utilized in forming the shell 12.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A weighted base for supporting a utilitarian device comprising a generally non-metallic horizontally extending weighted support base including a molded shell of generally resilient plastic having a cavity therein filled with a solidified dense material, said shell being provided with a centrally and vertically disposed vertically extending cylindrical member defining a through aperture to facilitate coupling a utilitarian device to said weighted base, and said shell having a generally disk-like configuration characterized by a generally planar lower surface.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said shell has a generally conical upper surface.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said centrally disposed cylindrical member is provided with a coupling means comprising an internally threaded bushing adapted to facilitate threadably coupling a utilitarian device to said weighted base.

4. A weighted base for supporting a utilitarian device comprising a generally non-metallic horizontally extending weighted support base including a molded shell of generally resilient plastic having a cavity therein filled with a solidified dense material, said shell being provided with a centrally and vertically disposed vertically extending cylindrical member defining a through aperture to facilitate coupling a utilitarian device to said weighted base, said weighted base being further provided with a radially extending outwardly diverging truncated generally wedgeshaped recessed region, and said recessed region being provided with a horizontally extending tie bar integral with the shell whereby an electrical switch and the like may be mounted within said recessed region so as to be generally flush relative to the outer surface of the shell.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said shell is provided with radially extending slot means for nestingly receiving a power supply cord and the like adapted to be passed upwardly through the centrally disposed vertically extending cylindrical member so as to facilitate supplying electrical power to a utilitarian device supported by said weighted base.

6. A generally non-metallic horizontally extending weighted support base including a molded shell of generally resilient plastic having a cavity therein filled with a solidified dense material, said shell being provided with a centrally and vertically disposed vertically extending cylindrical member defining a through aperture to facilitate coupling a utilitarian device to said weighted base, and said shell having a generally disk-like configuration characterized by a generally planar lower surface.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said shell has a generally conical upper surface.

8. The combination of claim 6 wherein said centrally disposed cylindrical member is provided with a coupling means, said coupling means comprising an internally threaded bushing adapted to facilitate threadably coupling a utilitarian device to said weighted base.

9. A weighted base for supporting a utilitarian device comprising a generally non-metallic horizontally extend ing weighted support base including a molded shell of generally resilient plastic having a cavity therein filled witha solidified dense material, said shell being provided with a centrally and vertically disposed vertically extending cylindrical member defining a through aperture to facilitate coupling a utilitarian device to said weighted base, said weighted base being further provided with a radially extending outwardly diverging truncated generally Wedge-shaped recessed region, and said recessed region being provided with a horizontally extending tie bar integral with the shell whereby an electrical switch and the like may be mounted within said recessed region so as to be generally fiush relative to the outer surface of the shell.

10. The combination of claim 6 wherein said shell is provided with radially extending slot means for nestingly receiving a power supply cord and the like adapted to be passed upwardly through the centrally disposed vertically extending cylindrical member so as to facilitate supplying electrical power to a utilitarian device supported by said weighted base.

11. A weighted base for supporting a utilitarian device comprising a horizontally extending molded shell of generally resilient plastic having a cavity therein, a solidified dense material filling said cavity, a vertically extending centrally and vertically disposed cylindrical member defining a socket to facilitate coupling said weighted base to the utilitarian device, and said shell having a generally disk-like configuration characterized by a generally planar lower surface.

12. The combination of claim 11 together with means for maintaining said cylindrical member in place in said molded shell and comprising flange means carried by said cylindrical member.

13. The combination of claim 11 wherein said cylindrical member has an exterior surface contacting the solidified dense material of irregular configuration to facilitate bonding between said member and said solidified dense material.

14. The combination of claim 11 together with means for maintaining said cylindrical member in place in said molded shell and comprising fastener means carried by received in said cylindrical member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 827,199 7/1906 White 248188.1 1,270,004 6/1918 Chappell 248188.1 X 1,631,227 6/1927 See 248188.1 X 1,653,897 12/1927 Farr 248 158 X 2,000,920 6/ 1935 Campbell 312254 2,248,068 7/1941 Devore 248159 3,119,588 1/1964 Keats 248158 3,247,823 4/1966 Buck 248--158 X CHANCELLOR E. HARRIS, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 248188.1 

